Sexual Abuse Exposes Girls to Risk of Teen Pregnancy

Girls who are sexually abused have a much higher rate of teen pregnancy. In fact, according to a new study, the rate of teen motherhood among these girls is almost 5 times the national rate.

Girls who are sexually abused have a much higher rate of teen pregnancy. In fact, according to a new study, the rate of teen motherhood among these girls is almost 5 times the national rate. This fact clearly underscores to sexual abuse attorneys the long-term repercussions of such trauma.

According to a study conducted by the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, and published recently in the journal Pediatrics, teenage childbirth rates are approximately 20% for teenagers who have been abused or neglected. In contrast, the national teenage childbirth rate is just about 4%.

According to the researchers, teenagers who have been subjected to sexual abuse may have very different approaches to or perspectives on sexuality and sexual behavior, that can be a direct result of their traumatic sexual experience.

The researchers studied 20 teenagers between the age of 14 and 17, and monitored them until the girls reached the age of 19. During this time, they assessed possible teen pregnancy and motherhood risks. Approximately 50% of the teenagers had been sourced from child protective services agencies, and had been subjected to abuse and neglect over the past 12 months. The other 50% consisted of comparison teenagers, who were similar to the others in terms of age, minority status, income and household status, but were not subjected to neglect or abuse.

The researchers found that 54 of the girls who had been abused or neglected had children with a childbirth rate of 20.3%. In the comparison group, 16 had children, a rate of 9.4%.

This study clearly proves the long-term emotional and psychological outcomes of childhood sexual abuse among teenage girls. Unfortunately, sexual abuse lawyers find that most children are abused not by strangers, but by people they know like teachers, coaches, and clergymen.